Homecoming

Homecoming is October 17-19, 2025!

Plan your trip home to CNU!

Celebrate your Captains pride during Homecoming at Christopher Newport University from October 17–19! Whether you’re an alum, student, faculty member, or a longtime friend of CNU, this weekend is your chance to celebrate our traditions, reconnect with old friends, and experience all that makes our University special. From art exhibits and tailgates to sporting events and campus tours, there’s something for Captains for Life of all ages. Join us as we make memories and honor the spirit that makes CNU home.

Registration

Registration for Homecoming is quick, easy, and encouraged! You can Choose Your Own Homecoming Adventure on our registration page. While registration is not required, it helps our team plan for the best possible experience, and every registrant is entered into a special raffle for exclusive CNU swag. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and community donors, most events are free to attend, including two of our most beloved traditions: Shoe Lane Lights and Alumni Alley.

Your Homecoming Questions Answered

Have questions about Homecoming? We’ve got you covered! Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for details on everything from parking and lodging to event schedules and registration. It’s your go-to resource for making the most of your Homecoming weekend.

Schedule of Events

Monday, October 13, 2025

Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Edwards Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Luisa Adelfio: Transcendence, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grace Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

The Next Chapter: ArtCNU Alumni in Practice, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Academic Gallery at the Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Edwards Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Luisa Adelfio: Transcendence, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grace Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

The Next Chapter: ArtCNU Alumni in Practice, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Academic Gallery at the Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Wednesday Walk with President Kelly, 6:30 a.m.

The Plaza in front of Trible Library

FREE, open to all

Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Edwards Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Luisa Adelfio: Transcendence, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grace Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

The Next Chapter: ArtCNU Alumni in Practice, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Academic Gallery at the Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

CAB: Homecoming Kickoff, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Great Lawn

FREE, open to all

Alumni Faculty and Staff Homecoming Toast, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Klich Alumni House

Invitation Only

Women’s Soccer Game vs. Virginia Wesleyan, 7:30 p.m.

Captains Field

FREE, open to all

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Edwards Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Luisa Adelfio: Transcendence, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grace Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

The Next Chapter: ArtCNU Alumni in Practice, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Academic Gallery at the Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Alumni Society Board of Directors Meeting, 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Klich Alumni House

Invitation Only

Torggler with a Twist: Homecoming Edition, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Featuring an exclusive Alumni Art exhibit and the launch of a special magnet for Alumni who check in at the Torggler Center for the Arts

The Torggler Center for the Arts

FREE, open to all

Please RSVP Here

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner, 6:00 p.m.

DSU Ballroom

Invitation Only

Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton and Beyond, 7:30 p.m.

Ferguson Center for the Arts

Ticketed event, open to all

Friday, October 17, 2025

Muriel Millar ‘88 Captains Classic Golf Tournament, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

James River Country Club

Ticketed Event, open to all

Hosted by the Peninsula Alumni Regional Chapter

Read more about the event on the Muriel Millar Golf Tournament page!

Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Edwards Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Luisa Adelfio: Transcendence, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grace Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

The Next Chapter: ArtCNU Alumni in Practice, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Academic Gallery at the Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Women's Basketball Open Practice, 3:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Freeman Center

FREE, open to all

Guided Campus Tour, 4:00 p.m.

Departs from CNH

FREE, open to all

Please RSVP here

Alumni and Student Networking Event hosted by the Center for Career Planning, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Torggler Atrium

FREE, open to all

Please RSVP here

Shoe Lane Lights, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Walker’s Green at the Klich Alumni House

FREE, open to all

Please RSVP Here

Homecoming Spirit Store, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Klich Alumni House

Open to all

Women’s Volleyball vs. UC Santa Cruz Coast-to-Coast Invitational, 6:00 p.m.

Freeman Center

FREE, open to all

Women's Basketball Team Meet and Greet, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Freeman Center

FREE, open to all

Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival and Awards, 7:00 p.m.

Walk the red carpet at the Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival and Awards, a dazzling showcase of seven short films written, directed, and performed by students from Christopher Newport University and Hampton City Schools—celebrating young filmmakers bringing Hollywood glamour and authentic voices to our hometown. Each film was created in collaboration with industry professionals, reflecting the exceptional quality and creativity that helped past Next Generation Storyteller projects earn recognition at film festivals worldwide.

Peebles Theatre

All tickets: $10

Explore more about the Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival and Awards

Midnight Madness, Doors Open at 10:00 p.m.

Celebrate the tip-off of the 2025–26 season with our Captains at this high-energy pep rally. Meet the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and cheer alongside the CNU Cheer and Dance teams as we build excitement for the season ahead. Doors to the Freeman Center open at 10:00 p.m. and the event starts at 10:30 p.m.—don’t miss it!

Freeman Center Field House

FREE, open to all

Please RSVP Here

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Alumni Alley Tailgate Zone, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lot I

FREE, open to all pedestrians

Tailgate pass required for reserved vehicle spot

Please RSVP Here

Anchor Hospitality Tent, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Located in Alumni Alley, Lot I

Hosted by Alumni Engagement/Annual Giving

Invitation Only

Alumni Engagement Hospitality Tent and The Homecoming Spirit Store, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Located in Alumni Alley, Lot I

FREE, open to all

General Tailgate Zone, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lot I

General Tailgating hosted by Athletics

FREE, open to all

Tailgate Passes Required for Reserved Spots

Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Edwards Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Luisa Adelfio: Transcendence, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grace Gallery at The Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

The Next Chapter: ArtCNU Alumni in Practice, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Academic Gallery at the Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

CNU Women’s Basketball Alumni Scrimmage, 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Freeman Center

CNU Women's Basketball alumni interested in playing can email Coach Chantel Roberts at chantel.roberts@cnu.edu

Homecoming Game: CNU vs. Kean, 1:00 p.m.

TowneBank Stadium

Ticketed Event, open to all

Halftime Presentation of the Lois Wright Cup, Halftime

TowneBank Stadium

Ticketed Event (part of Football Game), open to all

Women’s Volleyball vs. University of Mary Washington Coast-to-Coast Invitational, 2:00 p.m.

Freeman Center

FREE, open to all

Young Alumni Council Social: Plaza Takeover, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Plaza Azteca

FREE, open to all, hosted by the Young Alumni Council

Please RSVP Here

Return of the MAC: Post-Game Cook Out, 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Klich Alumni House

Affinity Chapter Event hosted by the Multicultural Alumni Chapter supported by the Office of Alumni Relations

Ticketed Event

Women’s Soccer Game vs. Swarthmore College, 4:30 p.m.

Captains Field

FREE

Women’s Volleyball vs. Salisbury University Coast-to-Coast Invitational, 6:00 p.m.

Freeman Center

FREE

Men’s Soccer Game vs. Salisbury University, 7:00 p.m.

Captains Field

FREE

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Edwards Gallery at The Torggler

FREE

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

Luisa Adelfio: Transcendence, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grace Gallery at The Torggler

FREE

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE

The Next Chapter: ArtCNU Alumni in Practice, 10:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

Academic Gallery at the Torggler

FREE, open to all

Learn more about the exhibit and Torggler Fine Arts Center HERE